What makes Nas great is that he's lived life! Many Ups and down never giving up!!!! Just a beautiful body of work. A true Artist. Congratulations Nas!!! 🎊 is ❤️
when Nas said that line he was actually talking to Biggie.. Nas said that line on it was written in 1996 before Biggie passed away because Biggie called himself Frank White the king of New York.. Biggie responded with a verse on the track kick in the door to diss Nas
Great review and reaction. I used to think Jay-Z was better in my younger years but as I aged, I did some reverse engineering and realized that Nas has always been better than Jay. I think Jay had a great run in the late 90s and early 2000s, after the passing Pac and BIG, but overall Nas has always been the better artist. His music aged better
By faaar. IWW aged waaay better than Reasonable Doubt. Same with Stillmatic and The blueprint. The problem with Jayz is that when you oush out for mainstream records, those records become unmistakably linked to that time period. When you listen to the blueprint, despite having far better production than Stillmatic, it sounds so early 00’s. But Stillmatic sounds so recent. It’s the album that made me like nas. Songs like One Mic, What goes Around and the flyest sound like they were dropped in the mid 10’s which is crazy. Those vocals sounds like the autotune stretches Quavo would have done.
It depends on the albums nas had too many bad albums, jay has always been better technically..and he used to have more solid albums, i like both but right now nas is better...
Nas’ first album changed the way rappers rapped at the time. You listen to Jay-z pre-illmatic and then after. “You used to rap like the Fushnikens, Nas designed your blueprint, who ya kiddin”- Nas
@@edwardpolenzani1039 that’s why the comparison is kind of weak. Jay might drop an album tomorrow that will blow KD away, or he might never make another song. We don’t know yet, but I would take everything jay was doing before 444 against what nas was putting out before the hit boy era, no question. And 444 is better than any single album in nas’s new run. Of course if you take the best songs off all the albums and compare that to 444 it’s going to look like nas is ahead, but time will tell.
@@user-fs1lc2cj5s dude I hate to give u bad news but nobody listens to 4:44 anymore & y’all jay stans need to stop acting like ppl are😭. 4:44 is one of the most boring albums of all time nobody wants to listen to a snooze fest okay. So stop talking about 4:44 it was average at best nobody listens to that sorry.
the vulnerability on the realities of ageing in Once a Man, Twice a Child, and the creativity of personifying beef in Beef are really what makes this album stand out and special imo - Nas is still so creative and intricate in his creation of these songs, and really touching on topics other rappers don't
Personally my favorite line out of the entire album is from the start of Reminisce, "My comfort give you discomfort.. Just know that in the hood they gon' bump this." An absolutely simple line that is just beautiful, and only works if you take it at face value.
That line hit the soul. Nas definitely knows that we be feeling exactly how he feels, as a people/community. His one-liners always shape & reshape the culture, because they’re so real. To me, he definitely writes like an old philosopher. Only him, Pac & Wu-Tang move me in that way.
Hello professor im a pretty normal guy with an abnormal obsession with Nas. My first concert ever was the NY state of mind tour with Nas and Wu, my dad took me. I didnt really meet my dad till i was about 20 and when we started having a relationship the biggest thing we had in common was Nas was both of our favorite rappers. Winning would be epic cause I'd be able to take my dad to this once in a lifetime show. godspeed
Respectfully, _Illmatic_ is in no way overrated. I wouldn't say _It Was Written_ is underrated, actually - some people even rank it higher than his debut! But I will absolutely agree that _I Am_ is underrated ("NY State Of Mind Pt 2" is so cold-blooded)... and "Made You Look" is DEFINITELY one of the greatest HipHop tracks of all time! I'm glad you said that. _God's Son_ is a very good album. I like the Nas/Bob Dylan comparison. Nas was _always_ better than Jay-Z!
To be clear, I think it’s a great album. It just doesn’t do for me what it does for others. And when people say “it’s the best rap album of all time” I don’t even blink. I get it, but I just don’t connect with it like that.
@@professorskye you don’t get Nas Illmatic or Nas in general because he wasn’t speaking to you, he was speaking to the youth of the day like my self and we all get it. How would you understand one love if none of your friends were lock up as a teen. And you had to write ✍️ them a kite. Or how would you get NY state of mind if you never lived it. Also as a side note Illmatic is the first of it’s kind with Multiple hot produces on one Artist project. Before that it was clicks or DJ and Rapper Collabos. Which is how almost every album today is made. To quote Nas, Name a rapper that I didn’t influence!!!! Illmatic change the game that’s why it is the best hip hop album
🤔 I Am holds a place in my youth. I remember working at a street market on Sunday morning and buying it from the music stall with my wages. Came home and skateboarded in the street while listening thru. Some great stuff in there but the album is difficult. The best tracks from this era landed on Lost Tapes Best tracks on I Am NYSOM2 Ghetto Prisoners (find the version blended with Erykah’s “Soldier”!!) Nas Is Like Undying Love If I forgot anything else…it’s because they are forgettable. Love Nas and wouldn’t be the man I am without his words over the last 20+ years
Lil bro all that talk don’t meant nothing, Nas been mid for 20 years of his career, only the past few years he’s been able to put out good projects all thanks to Hitboy
Nas' peak (1994-1996) is unmatched by any rapper in history. Jay-z just had a longer run (1996-2003). The reason behind Nas' shorter run is that I Am was originally going to be a double album, but the original album was shelved because of heavy bootleging. Nas was rushed by Columbia to release 2 albums in 1999 with a lot of radio-friendly record instead, while the original I Am would have been easily one of the best concept albums in hip hop history. Had the original I am been released as it was intented, there wouldn't have been a GOAT discussion in the first place because Nas would have had 5 straight classic albums (Illmatic, IWW, I am, Stillmatic, God's son), his debut being the greatest album in the genre. Nas is hip hop's golden child (as per Ghostface's words).
Was never ever above Nas. Was never a debate in the streets where it mattered. It only became even a question probably mid 2000’s when jays commercial light became what it became. Before then no one ever fathomed that Jay was better than Nas. Jays lyrics are great but mostly superficial and industry driven. I dont care about Nas being conscious or not, thats some industry type issue, everything is conscious, so what does that even mean. The point is, Nas has always been more creative dynamic and interesting. His life story and personality is more praiseworthy. And for the record, Eric B wasnt actually a producer, just credited as such. Much of Rakims music was Marley Marl and Large Professor.
“His life story is more praise worthy” is where you completely lost me… Jay Z went from selling crack in Middle School to support his family and ended up as hip hops first Billionaire. I agreed with you on most of the other stuff but you have a clear Nas bias
Debates in street!? It never mattered when all great rappers have always had Hov’s name in the Goat conversation or top 5, I’ve seen a lot of top artists have him in their top 5 like Lil Wayne but I rarely see Nas name in that conversation, that don’t mean he’s not one of the greats, but Hov was putting out American Gangster, Watch the Throne while Nas was putting out bad projects for years like his self titled project or Hip Hop is Dead two albums that are nowhere near American Ganster or Watch the Throne quality. Nas now has Hitboy and he’s able to make great quality albums again, with beats that are tailored to him. Hov has always had much better discography than Nas.
@@eliakia i said in the streets, thats where the culture was, in 93, 94, all those years, 97. Now the culture is everybody’s. But those who know know. It belonged to the streets first, at a time when no one outside the streets really cared or mattered. Our communities set the standards. Now everyone has a stake in it, and its all good. But as long as Im alive, I will not let anyone rewrite our history. I was there. Nas reigned in those years, took Jay flow a few years to catch up. Everyone that was there knows.
15:00 He's able to Rap about Yesterday, Today & Tomorow! Well Said! Nas 'Made You Look' being one of Hip-Hops greatest songs That song gives me Goosebumps till this day!💯
“Four albums in ten years? I could divide That’s one every, let’s say two - two of them shit’s was due One was nah, the other was Illmatic That’s a one hot album every ten year average” How things change
It's a slick line that hold no weight ever since he said it. Just like jz said he paid searchlight publishers when infact he paid Nas for sampling his voice and line. It's all smoke and mirrors by jz
I became a big Nas fan around “Streets Disciple” in 2004. Parents bought me Jay-Z’s blueprint 2 & Streets Disciple bootleg from a guy who made CDs back then for the low 🤫 😂, and at the time BP2 was 2 years old but I didn’t have have the official project. With that Nas double album, I could realize then that j was getting something different from him and I was only 12 years old. Now that I just turned 30, hearing the kings disease trilogy plus Magic, his music just takes me to a place that Jay music doesn’t anymore. Jay was my favorite MC since I was 6, but now that I’m older, I guess conscious music speaks to me more, especially over hard & unique production. The thing is Jay can have all the accolades, sales, and a so called “better peak” than Nas’s “Peak”, but Nas always had the respect of the streets, the hoods, and the people, something Jay doesn’t completely have.
Well, to add he was not just shouting the hoods out at the end of hood2hood. he ended it with the message he was passing on. 'keep your pistols down or we all will soon be gone' which ties into the general theme and message.
This was a great analysis very entertaining made me laugh a few times I appreciate your honesty I’m a Nas fan from Boston and he is a major reason why I make music and I think you nailed it
The word “Ether” made its way into the pantheons of news, entertainment, and sports! It because a euphemism--because of NAS! That, kind sir…is greatness.
Thun is pronounced like Thun-der.. Nas reminiscing in an overly detailed way is one of his greatest strengths and something he's always done and I hope he continues to do. No one paints a picture better.
With your own points you made the case for Nas. J didn’t blow up until most of the greats died. Nas blew up when the competition in rap was at its absolute peak, during the guilded age of rap (93-97). People readjusted how they rapped when Nas dropped Illmatic. You talk like Nas was just a stat hog for multiple years to become considered great. No Nas was drafted out of high school( to use your sport’s analogy) and changed the entire game his first season. And every decade never fell off and was ALWAYS considered one of the greats and never compromised his integrity
well, Jay was on HipHop Is Dead "Black republicans" Nas was on American Gangster "Success" (dissed Hov on the song btw) Nas and Jay were on Ludacris "I do it for hiphop" and Dj Khaled's "sorry not sorry"
@@Raydensheraj Nas and Jay have been on songs together since 2006. Jay featured on HiphopIsDead (Black republicans) Nas featured on American Gangster (Success) they both featured on Ludacris (I did it for hiphop) and Dj Khaled's (sorry, not sorry)
The song Serious Interlude is an ode to Slick Rick's hit song "Teenage Love" which is an 80's hip hop anthem and Slick is one of Nas' idols. In retrospect people who aren't vested in that era who are hearing something similar in the present will be dismissive of it's simplicity. You simply CAN'T understand. The same way that people diminish the importance of L.L. Cool J's "I Need Love". In other words the song is aimed at that era of fans which know this. Also it rounds out the album from a subject matter aspect. It's a great placement on the album.
Thank you for this statement. My goodness someone that gets it. Serious Interlude is my personal favorite in the album, not because it's the best,but because it's the track that touched home-base for me, being same age as NaS. I too was a Fly Kid, but superbroke ofcourse, at the same time I got busy with girls my age and older because they were attracted to my low key, Introverted good looking self and I ended up messing with a Fly Girl much older than me when I was 16-17, but she was in a relationship with a Drug Dealer who neglected her and somehow she ended up messing with me when her Drug Dealer boyfriend was disappearing for days, weeks at a time, I'm glad I'm alive to tell this story, because looking back that was a dangerous game I was playing. Serious Interlude is dope to me and NaS is just amazing crearing these vivid stories which connects with his fanbase.
@@afrosamourai400 My Teenage and early 20 nieces love these 2 Classics, Teenage Love and I Need Love, they couldn't believe these tracks were from 80s.
@@afrosamourai400 So you don't think there's anything special about "I Need Love" or Teenage Love" or "One Love" by Whodini? If so then that says a lot.... in fact it says it all.
@@jbwuzhere6819 i don't know if there's something special about those 2 songs, my point was just to say that great music don't speak only to fans of an era, it transcends time..the message from grandmaster flash or rappers delight are still good today despite being made in the 80s..so you shouldn't say it speaks to the fans of an era, if it's the best music it will speak to all eras..
Great review of the album. With regard to the end where you discuss freedom of speech, I believe he's referring to rap lyrics being used in court cases which has happened recently. Overall this was a really thoughtful discussion of the album.
What I don't get about people who have Jay over Nas is in what way? Depth? Longevity? Conceptually? Subject Matter, Storytelling? Ability to paint vivid pictures? Battle records? Voice? Lyricism? Flow? JAY DOESN'T TOUCH NAS IN ANY OF THOSE! LOL NOW WITH THIS 4 ALBUM RUN....WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?? LOL Jay is a all time great but there's a reason why his catalog didn't age well cuz he always chased trends and other rappers sounds. I honestly dont get it, it's not even a debate, Never has been
J Mar.... everything you just said is super correct! Every category you just named should make the determination that Nas is completely better than Jay... but they don't see it that way.... they aren't listening for those categories... they listen to what deems a mc to be hype or popular regardless of the quality.... and this guy calls himself a professo lol. I thought research and analyzing was part of it... but hey lol
Great video as always Prof!! Kinda amazing that the nas and hitboy collab still sounds this fresh after four albums. Also you should review the new Brockhampton album after it drops tomorrow, keen to hear your thoughts
What makes IllMatic special is because it change the climate of HipHop in the early 90's. HipHop was dominated by the West Coast at this time. Nas along with WU tang put the spot light back on NY. IllMatic also change the way HipHop albums were produced by bringing together an all-star of Producers to create the album vs just one producer. Nas lyrics, flow and storytelling was light years beyond what anyone done or doing at that time. KRS-One once said that if you want to truly study History of HiPHop music to start with IllMatic and go backward to other classic albums all the way to the Sugar Hill Gang. Then go back To IllMatic and go forward.
Ice Cube said to NaS on his 'The Bridge' podcast, "Back then we were doing our penmanship, then you came and put it in Cursive". Highest compliments from 1 of Hip-Hop Greats! Illmatic is like New Testament to Catholics, it is like BC & AD, Before Illmatic and after Illmatic! Facts!
I always appreciated Nas more since I was a kid because of his deeper lyrical ability with songs like I Gave you Power. I see why people like Jay and he is good but is just not as potent of an artist for me. Super jealous you get to see the Kings Disease performance at MSG!!! Good job, as always!
It's not a young man's game it's still a new Genre of music the first dudes wasn't really getting money so they had to leave it alone, that's what made people start saying oh you still rap and made other leave Nas Generation is the Generation that started getting Real Money in a whole so him, Jay, if Big, PAC, Pun and a few others were alive they would be still relevant too....... I agree he showing y'all that rap doesn't have to stop at a certain age and may make the real artist keep being more creative. One of the best parts of Nas career is his ability to be a tomorrow thinker or whatever your saying. The shoutouts is just apart of the culture I agree with a lot of what you saying. There is a lot of stuff you don't get that's just apart of the culture I can tell by what you show your disinterest to not understanding it's all apart of the game.
Jay heard it. You see Jay posted his Grammys the day Nas released his tracklist. They've had a friendly rivalry for years now. You can pick out instances in lyrics of them throwing little shots at each other. Even those little features Jay does time to time.
@@SoulOfTheSouth I agree with that. But friendly competition is still a thing. I bet it's a little more motivation for both of them to stay good at their craft. You can be friends with competitors
They are cool with each other, they hangout in each other's home every once in awhile and have recorded songs together since their Beef. At this stage of their career they are just 2 knives sharpening each other and that is a beautiful thing to see in the culture that has taken too many greats due to Beef.
Thanks for that. It seems that the majority of Nas fans are still super mad at me, so I'm happy to know that at least one person got the point of the video. It seems that the more I praise Nas, the angrier they get. Anyway, I appreciate all the comments, even the grumpy ones. I hope to spark discussion and analysis, even if that analysis is about how wrong I am! :)
"Street disciple" and "untitled" are way ahead of it's time. Nas I personally think has been 10 yrs ahead of everyone else also "Nastradamus" that album if you listen to it now that's a freaking grown man album n I think us Nas fans are called Nasirians
Nastradamus is a bad boy album Life we chose Family God love us Big girl now Last words Come get me You owe me New world Shoot em Some of us have angels This album was very mature one of the albums I listened to more than most of the other albums which were much better and most of the others my favourite... but with nastradamus very mature and underated.
@@teradac2 facts bro I never understood the dislike people had towards that album back then everybody was satisfied living in the present while Nas was telling us what lied ahead just listen to the track "new world" on that album smh way ahead of it's time
@@MichaelBatmanKeaton even quiet N track.. again nas jumping on a dirty South track doing it a nas type way was ill. Didn't really feel that track but again showing us he's getting with the times and trying to reach the south audience. Nas would always do stuff to hit another audience but in his way which I think people don't really clock on to. They think he's still one way but he's always changing and adapting that's why he's lasted this long. Nas understands the business too, but again he's slept on because he's not so out there with it. To close off I think the actual nastradamus single tainted the album hence why most write it off.
If you go onto the song where nas talks about 16yo fans, there is a notation saying "that me". Also, I am 16 and a nas fan, and I didn't leave that notation, so there are atleast two of us.
That baseline on THUN is crying for his Mami while Nas is squealing his tires on this beat . The g.o.a.t. the track I'M ON FIRE 🔥 Is an instant classic !!!!!
@@giovannicarter3076 Right?! That title stood out to me the most other than “Michael & Quincy” and “Recession Proof”. I was super intrigued by those three when the tracklist came out.
Nas is the prime example of a champion, throughout his whole career. You seen the start of his career rise and take a temporary pause due to his personal life, but like all struggles in life we fall to get back up and show true talent, and full potential 💪🏾
The Nas/Jay rivalry will never end. Jay has been soft pressing Nas for years by dropping some kind of Collab or project to coincide with most Nas releases. Nas answers by dropping 4 joints in 2 years which soft presses the takeover line of 2 albums in 10 years.....
Nas is for those with refined taste in rap, Jay Z doesn't even come close. Nas is steak and lobster with a glass of wine, Jay is a Mcdonalds hamburger. Can Jay tell a story backwards? Have Jay's lyrics ever been studied in universities? Yeah, that's what I thought. Nas>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Jay Z.
The nas from this period was embarassing...lol, he said later in a song "Diamonds are blinding i never make the same mistakes" he knew he lost himself in the bling era.
You're wrong about Serious Interlude. He's flexing storytelling while paying homage to Slick Rick. You just came from talking about how well he paints pictures etc and he told us a simple short story here. It deserves more than what you gave it.
Yeah man. Not sure what he's talking about. Serious Interlude is my personal favorite because it's so descriptive of my Fly, but broke Teenage years, messing with girls older than me, one was even dating a drug dealer around my way, so this track is a personal favorite. But oh well, he just can't relate, even so, give it credit for its details.
if i win the tickets me and my friend will start driving from miami university in oxford ohio immediately after our 8am class tomorrow to make the show. thanks professor!
My opinion... Both are arguably(not that hard to do that) top 5 rappers all time. Like you said, Nas has the better discography. Nas has the better opus (I LOVE Reasonable Doubt but Illmatic is Goated and still holds up so well!). As you said, Nas won/is still winning the beef. Nas has greater influence on hip hop music/culture (LilJayzx?). Jay has more influence on black excellence/society. I agree with you, J definitely has better humor. Jay has Beyonce (:p). Creative diversity = Draw. Jay Z vs. Nas is like Biggie vs. Pac.... there is no wrong answer. I lean Nas most of the time but I still have my J days from time to time. We are blessed to have both.
Prof. Skye, thats going pretty hard shouting out which section you will be at at a Nas concert, no one is testing ur gangsta,.lol,. u crack me up, i LOVE ur passion!!
The mention of the diss tracks on beef is literally mentioning the components that lead to beef... Paranoia, misinformation, misinterpretations, rumors, etc.
I've been listening to Nas for much of my life and would love to finally see him live. I don't know that I can say anything to put me clearly ahead of everybody else as a Nas stan, I just enjoy his storytelling and Illmatic soundtracked my adolescence. I live in Boston, so I have the Amtrak tab sitting open and ready. Excited to see who you choose! Thanks for your great work.
Nas saying bravehearts is the same as jay saying rockafella when he was on that label, bravehearts consisted of his brother jungle wiz nashawn guys from qb, iykyk.
...and the reason they called themselves Bravehearts is because they came from grimy projects, where you had to be brave and scare in order to survive or get eaten alive.
If Thunderground Thursday returns this week or the next, then you should listen to the newest project by AKAI SOLO titled Spirit Roaming. It recently released under Backwoodz Studioz, which was founded by Billy Woods and contained Elucid’s newest album I Told Bessie.
People get the word “conscious” confused. Conscious does not mean being woke. It means telling how you feel or what’s on your mind. Nas is a street rapper just like Jay Z, Ghostface, Raekwon, who all of these MCs are diverse. A gangsta rapper can be conscious because they’re speaking what’s on their mind. Illmatic and It Was Written are street conscious albums. Reasonable Doubt is a street conscious album. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is a street conscious album. Any rapper can be conscious. Producer 9th Wonder talked about this.
Conscious means positive, wise or socially oriented(fugees, blackstar, common, the roots..) it's the opposite of promoting killings, drugs, violence, hoes, savage capitalism...so i disagree street gangsta rap is the opposite of conscious..
Please do a review of madvillainy. Your reviews are always so insightful and well put. Would love to see you do one on one of the most influential albums of hip-hop
I’ve been listening to Nas for many years, and for good reason, because I he is one of my favorite artists of all genres. His lyrical prowess and vocab knack has inspired me over the years to be better in my expression and performance through new opportunities, which I'm all the better for. And the textured and nuanced production he has used over the years are very important to my musical framework, which wouldn't be the same without his run through the 90's and 2020's. That is why I love to listen to him so much, because through times in which I've had hard time, I can put on an Illmatic, or a Kings Disease record, or even a lesser record of his like Street's Disciple and Nasir. So much musical code I have is indebted to Nas and his music, and I would love to see him live to experience one of his finest moments at one of the most iconic venues in America. Thanks again Skye. Speaking as a devout subscriber, you have brought my love of Nas to a new level, and I can only thank you as much as I can for that. (PS: I wish you the best for your family emergency, and I hope it goes over as well as it can.)
I stumbled upon this vide, I’ve been a big Nas fan since day one. I see what you’re doing! Ha ha! By the way “Brave Heart’s” is his Group bruh. “Oochi walli”.
This may be a left field take, but I kinda feel like Common, of all people, kinda belongs as the third leg, of the "most successful rapper" convo. Not because I'm a super fan, cuz I'm not, although I like him, but I kinda feel like he is the actual "conscious rapper" equivalent, of both the mainstream, and underground respected rapper, with dabblings and success in other areas. Like, I would put him at one end, Jay z at the other, with Nas somewhere in between. Nas isn't nearly as consistently "conscious" as Common, nor as "street", or as "pop" as Jay...but somehow "deeper" than either one. But as far as rappers, who regularly operate in the same "upper stratosphere" of top tier stardom, as Hollywood celebrities, but can still garner the respect of his core audience...Common has earned a place in that conversation
His new project with peterock, one of the goats, as well as his legacy with Dilla, No-id, and Kanye, etc..are further examples, imo, of the low key diss of him not being mentioned more often. Dude was in a fuckin matrix movie, and dated Serena Williams...IJS...lol
Dude currently has an album with Peterock, albums with Dilla, Kanye, No-id, was a soulquarian, and "honorary" native tounge member, one of the first Chicago rappers to come out, was in a Matrix film, and used to date Serena Williams...I meeeeean....IJS...LOL
If you listened to Nastradamus you'd know Nas had a song with a Christmas Carol beat rapping about killing called " Shootem Up". I'm sure that song played a part in a few people getting popped.
In response to Prof Skye's critique of Nas naming the album series "King's Disease," I'm very sure that Skye knows that King's Disease was the name given to the painful disease gout because gout historically only occurred in people who were wealthy enough to eat heavy amounts of food containing purines. In other words, the pain of King's Disease happens to people who are rich and greedy/excessive. Throughout this album trilogy Nas is given wise financial advice, warning against the financial greed/excesses that has caused many Kings of entertainment to go through the pain of financial ruin.
I think that Skye recognizes that Nas is a master of conceptual metaphors so King's Disease is another example of Nas showcasing a metaphorical, concept with a social message. The message, again, is: King's of entertainment stop being financially greedy/excessive (in making unhealthful investments) or suffering the financial pain that King's historically suffered physiologically due to unhealthy/excessive consumption of foods that only the rich could experience.
Jeepers Creepers was part of the bar before the Congress line..... He said we time piece Monsters, going hunting every season, "Jeepers Creepers" in the movie Jeepers Creepers he returns for 21 days in whatever amount of years. I could be wrong but that's made more since to me. A lot of his Barz just be going over people heads.
Bravehearts was the name of his rap group which consisted of his brother and brother’s best friend. QGTM Also the song I Can is on his Godson album and I Am is the name of his 3rd album.
Ice Cube said to NaS on his 'The Bridge' podcast, "Back then we were doing our penmanship, then you came and put it in Cursive". Highest compliments from 1 of Hip-Hop Greats! Illmatic is like New Testament to Catholics, it is like BC & AD, Before Illmatic and after Illmatic! Facts!
You know what would be a better idea than Premier beats for them 2 dudes considering where they are in their relationship? A collaboration album. Them competing on the same songs for the whole album.
I tried to tell you Nas was better than Jay-Z awhile ago!! Thanks for admitting it 🤣. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but did I just hear you say "Reminisce" is trash? I think it's one of the best songs on kd3.
He also dismissed Serious Interlude, which is an to I Need Love by LL Cool J and Teenage Love by Slick Rick, it's my personal favorite in KD3 due to how it almost describes my Fly but Broke Teenage years. Smh
Hi Professor! I personally love Nas, but variety is the spice of life and I also believe there is plenty of room for mature discussion and different viewpoints. That’s it! If people take the time to hear you out, you clearly don’t “hate” Nas. Thanks!
Nas wrote Rewind, I Gave You Power, Fetus, Last Words, 2nd Childhood, One Love... Some of these are conceptually completely unparalleled to this day in any genre, as far as lyricism goes. Like, I love Jay-z and I know a lot of what I love wouldn't exist either, at least not as it is but I think about a lot of names before I mention his, that rarely happens with Nas, not really a debate for me.
Great review "It was written" is still one of the greatest albums of all time. People need to decode the lyrics that's why Pac luv that album before he die.
Nas has always been one of my favorite rappers since I got into hip hop music in middle school. When I first got into music I bought CDs from Best Buy. The first CDs I bought were the Chronic and Nas's Life Is Good. I know it isn't regarded as his best but I have a lot of memories with it, I remember liking it for the storytelling and lyrical proficiency, the same reason I liked Eminem at the time. The song Cherry Wine with Amy Winehouse was my favorite. I replayed that album alot before checking out Hip Hop Is Dead and then Illmatic Stillmatic etc. This King Disease trilogy has been a treat and Nas really is an artist that keeps on giving. I live in NY and have never been to Madison Square Garden, would love to check it out
Oh my! The first person fell through. If you still want the tickets please message me by 10:00 AM at professorskyebusiness@gmail.con! (After that I’ll have to try to find someone else so that there is enough time)
Illmatic - Classic aka New Testament of Hip-Hop! KD3 - Classic Magic - Classic IWW - Classic Stillmatic - Classic LT1 - Classic LIG - Classic (1st Grownman Hip-Hop Album, which J tried to emulate with 4:44) KD2 - Classic GS - Classic DR - Classic (Unlike any other Hip-Hop album with Africa Vibes) KD1 - Fantastic Album Untitled - Is a very good album, has aged well & will stand the test of time due to it's content. HHID - Good album, has aged well I Am - Good album, has aged well, original version would have been Classic if not for sabotage by Record Label & Leaking it. LT2 - Good, some Very Good highs, but more lows SD - Good, would have been Very Good if just 1 album instead of 2LP, has aged well. Nasir - Feels rushed, with 1-2 Excellent tracks. Nastradamus - OK, the highs are special which would have been on I Am, but too many lows for me, but has aged well.
What makes Nas great is that he's lived life! Many Ups and down never giving up!!!! Just a beautiful body of work. A true Artist. Congratulations Nas!!! 🎊 is ❤️
Thats God body
6:08. You're on point. Nas is just showing everyone including jay....that there's only one Life . One love .so there can only be one King 👑
That line gave me the chills 😎 🤙🏾
when Nas said that line he was actually talking to Biggie.. Nas said that line on it was written in 1996 before Biggie passed away because Biggie called himself Frank White the king of New York.. Biggie responded with a verse on the track kick in the door to diss Nas
Boom bap! Yes
Great review and reaction.
I used to think Jay-Z was better in my younger years but as I aged, I did some reverse engineering and realized that Nas has always been better than Jay. I think Jay had a great run in the late 90s and early 2000s, after the passing Pac and BIG, but overall Nas has always been the better artist. His music aged better
By faaar. IWW aged waaay better than Reasonable Doubt. Same with Stillmatic and The blueprint. The problem with Jayz is that when you oush out for mainstream records, those records become unmistakably linked to that time period. When you listen to the blueprint, despite having far better production than Stillmatic, it sounds so early 00’s. But Stillmatic sounds so recent. It’s the album that made me like nas. Songs like One Mic, What goes Around and the flyest sound like they were dropped in the mid 10’s which is crazy. Those vocals sounds like the autotune stretches Quavo would have done.
good to see you come around, Hov always been great in his own right,
but i always knew what time would eventually reveal
@@mamadoufall5940 ALL facts
@@millyoneyedeaz1350 say it again 🔥
It depends on the albums nas had too many bad albums, jay has always been better technically..and he used to have more solid albums, i like both but right now nas is better...
Nas’ first album changed the way rappers rapped at the time. You listen to Jay-z pre-illmatic and then after. “You used to rap like the Fushnikens, Nas designed your blueprint, who ya kiddin”- Nas
It's some shots at Jay on KD3
which song is that line from?
@@nuggetz9380 it’s from stillmatic freestyle
Classic diss track! Shout out to Hov but Nas is that guy lol
@@vaughnjackson1963 Bro i just heard it wtf. A lyrical bombardment 🔥 nas is the GOAT 🐐
Nas has shown with this stretch of albums he’s done with hitboy that he’s matured a lot better than Jay has musically.
did u hear 4:44?
It was good but Nas is on a run. And he doesn’t seem to have an end in sight apparently. What’s Jay been doing
@@edwardpolenzani1039 that’s why the comparison is kind of weak. Jay might drop an album tomorrow that will blow KD away, or he might never make another song. We don’t know yet, but I would take everything jay was doing before 444 against what nas was putting out before the hit boy era, no question. And 444 is better than any single album in nas’s new run. Of course if you take the best songs off all the albums and compare that to 444 it’s going to look like nas is ahead, but time will tell.
@@user-fs1lc2cj5s dude I hate to give u bad news but nobody listens to 4:44 anymore & y’all jay stans need to stop acting like ppl are😭. 4:44 is one of the most boring albums of all time nobody wants to listen to a snooze fest okay. So stop talking about 4:44 it was average at best nobody listens to that sorry.
@@edwardpolenzani1039dope verse here and there
Thanks for the video Professor; we appreciate you! Nas is my favorite rapper of all time.
Mine too. Nas is 🔥🔥🔥
🙌
the vulnerability on the realities of ageing in Once a Man, Twice a Child, and the creativity of personifying beef in Beef are really what makes this album stand out and special imo - Nas is still so creative and intricate in his creation of these songs, and really touching on topics other rappers don't
Personally my favorite line out of the entire album is from the start of Reminisce, "My comfort give you discomfort.. Just know that in the hood they gon' bump this." An absolutely simple line that is just beautiful, and only works if you take it at face value.
that lines says so much in itself.
🔥🔥🔥
One of my favorite line is..believe in who you are, the suns doesn't even know it's a star
👍👍
That line hit the soul. Nas definitely knows that we be feeling exactly how he feels, as a people/community. His one-liners always shape & reshape the culture, because they’re so real. To me, he definitely writes like an old philosopher. Only him, Pac & Wu-Tang move me in that way.
Hello professor im a pretty normal guy with an abnormal obsession with Nas. My first concert ever was the NY state of mind tour with Nas and Wu, my dad took me. I didnt really meet my dad till i was about 20 and when we started having a relationship the biggest thing we had in common was Nas was both of our favorite rappers. Winning would be epic cause I'd be able to take my dad to this once in a lifetime show. godspeed
yebio, please contact me at professorskyebusiness@gmail.com. You Won!
I've got your email, now just send me your name (by email) so that I can finalize the transfer of the tix
Respectfully, _Illmatic_ is in no way overrated. I wouldn't say _It Was Written_ is underrated, actually - some people even rank it higher than his debut! But I will absolutely agree that _I Am_ is underrated ("NY State Of Mind Pt 2" is so cold-blooded)... and "Made You Look" is DEFINITELY one of the greatest HipHop tracks of all time! I'm glad you said that. _God's Son_ is a very good album.
I like the Nas/Bob Dylan comparison.
Nas was _always_ better than Jay-Z!
To be clear, I think it’s a great album. It just doesn’t do for me what it does for others. And when people say “it’s the best rap album of all time” I don’t even
blink. I get it, but I just don’t connect with it like that.
I still can't believe how slept on God's Son is and I was 6 when it released.
@@professorskye you don’t get Nas Illmatic or Nas in general because he wasn’t speaking to you, he was speaking to the youth of the day like my self and we all get it. How would you understand one love if none of your friends were lock up as a teen. And you had to write ✍️ them a kite. Or how would you get NY state of mind if you never lived it. Also as a side note Illmatic is the first of it’s kind with Multiple hot produces on one Artist project. Before that it was clicks or DJ and Rapper Collabos. Which is how almost every album today is made. To quote Nas, Name a rapper that I didn’t influence!!!! Illmatic change the game that’s why it is the best hip hop album
🤔 I Am holds a place in my youth. I remember working at a street market on Sunday morning and buying it from the music stall with my wages. Came home and skateboarded in the street while listening thru.
Some great stuff in there but the album is difficult. The best tracks from this era landed on Lost Tapes
Best tracks on I Am
NYSOM2
Ghetto Prisoners (find the version blended with Erykah’s “Soldier”!!)
Nas Is Like
Undying Love
If I forgot anything else…it’s because they are forgettable.
Love Nas and wouldn’t be the man I am without his words over the last 20+ years
Lil bro all that talk don’t meant nothing, Nas been mid for 20 years of his career, only the past few years he’s been able to put out good projects all thanks to Hitboy
Nas' peak (1994-1996) is unmatched by any rapper in history. Jay-z just had a longer run (1996-2003). The reason behind Nas' shorter run is that I Am was originally going to be a double album, but the original album was shelved because of heavy bootleging. Nas was rushed by Columbia to release 2 albums in 1999 with a lot of radio-friendly record instead, while the original I Am would have been easily one of the best concept albums in hip hop history. Had the original I am been released as it was intented, there wouldn't have been a GOAT discussion in the first place because Nas would have had 5 straight classic albums (Illmatic, IWW, I am, Stillmatic, God's son), his debut being the greatest album in the genre. Nas is hip hop's golden child (as per Ghostface's words).
Minor correction, the double album was going to be called I AM Nastradamus. One side was gonna be called I AM and the other side Nastradamus
@Aaron9 I prefer Vol 1 over I am but I'm with you with Vol 3 and Dynasty
I Am is not a classic Nas album sorry.
@@jayonep ofcourse Vol 1 is better than I Am. Vol 1 for me is JayZ's 3rd best album after Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint.
Thank you !!! educate these fools on hip hop history.
Was never ever above Nas. Was never a debate in the streets where it mattered. It only became even a question probably mid 2000’s when jays commercial light became what it became. Before then no one ever fathomed that Jay was better than
Nas. Jays lyrics are great but mostly superficial and industry driven. I dont care about Nas being conscious or not, thats some industry type issue, everything is conscious, so what does that even mean. The point is, Nas has always been more creative dynamic and interesting. His life story and personality is more praiseworthy. And for the record, Eric B wasnt actually a producer, just credited as such. Much of Rakims music was Marley Marl and Large Professor.
🎯🎯🎯💯🙏🏼 _Talk to 'em!_
Nas has ALWAYS been better than Jay...
“His life story is more praise worthy” is where you completely lost me… Jay Z went from selling crack in Middle School to support his family and ended up as hip hops first Billionaire. I agreed with you on most of the other stuff but you have a clear Nas bias
@Aaron9 Yeah that was my point. to the second part, say what you want he’s an incredible lyricist.
Debates in street!? It never mattered when all great rappers have always had Hov’s name in the Goat conversation or top 5, I’ve seen a lot of top artists have him in their top 5 like Lil Wayne but I rarely see Nas name in that conversation, that don’t mean he’s not one of the greats, but Hov was putting out American Gangster, Watch the Throne while Nas was putting out bad projects for years like his self titled project or Hip Hop is Dead two albums that are nowhere near American Ganster or Watch the Throne quality. Nas now has Hitboy and he’s able to make great quality albums again, with beats that are tailored to him. Hov has always had much better discography than Nas.
@@eliakia i said in the streets, thats where the culture was, in 93, 94, all those years, 97. Now the culture is everybody’s. But those who know know. It belonged to the streets first, at a time when no one outside the streets really cared or mattered. Our communities set the standards. Now everyone has a stake in it, and its all good. But as long as Im alive, I will not let anyone rewrite our history. I was there. Nas reigned in those years, took Jay flow a few years to catch up. Everyone that was there knows.
15:00 He's able to Rap about Yesterday, Today & Tomorow! Well Said!
Nas 'Made You Look' being one of Hip-Hops greatest songs
That song gives me Goosebumps till this day!💯
“Four albums in ten years? I could divide
That’s one every, let’s say two - two of them shit’s was due
One was nah, the other was Illmatic
That’s a one hot album every ten year average”
How things change
It's a slick line that hold no weight ever since he said it.
Just like jz said he paid searchlight publishers when infact he paid Nas for sampling his voice and line. It's all smoke and mirrors by jz
The irony is real...jay did it to himself...lol
Just like he tried to diss Nas for kicking knowledge....what was 444?
I became a big Nas fan around “Streets Disciple” in 2004. Parents bought me Jay-Z’s blueprint 2 & Streets Disciple bootleg from a guy who made CDs back then for the low 🤫 😂, and at the time BP2 was 2 years old but I didn’t have have the official project. With that Nas double album, I could realize then that j was getting something different from him and I was only 12 years old. Now that I just turned 30, hearing the kings disease trilogy plus Magic, his music just takes me to a place that Jay music doesn’t anymore. Jay was my favorite MC since I was 6, but now that I’m older, I guess conscious music speaks to me more, especially over hard & unique production. The thing is Jay can have all the accolades, sales, and a so called “better peak” than Nas’s “Peak”, but Nas always had the respect of the streets, the hoods, and the people, something Jay doesn’t completely have.
Well, to add he was not just shouting the hoods out at the end of hood2hood. he ended it with the message he was passing on. 'keep your pistols down or we all will soon be gone' which ties into the general theme and message.
I really appreciate this review more as I watch it. You were paying attention. This review has substance… value… something meaningful to say. 🙏🏿
Thanks! Some people switched off pretty quickly and seemed to really hate it, so your compliment is appreciated
This was a great analysis very entertaining made me laugh a few times I appreciate your honesty I’m a Nas fan from Boston and he is a major reason why I make music and I think you nailed it
The word “Ether” made its way into the pantheons of news, entertainment, and sports! It because a euphemism--because of NAS!
That, kind sir…is greatness.
Thun is pronounced like Thun-der..
Nas reminiscing in an overly detailed way is one of his greatest strengths and something he's always done and I hope he continues to do. No one paints a picture better.
Thun is pronounced Thun, it comes from someone with a lisp mispronouncing sun as in “what up thun”
With your own points you made the case for Nas. J didn’t blow up until most of the greats died. Nas blew up when the competition in rap was at its absolute peak, during the guilded age of rap (93-97). People readjusted how they rapped when Nas dropped Illmatic. You talk like Nas was just a stat hog for multiple years to become considered great. No Nas was drafted out of high school( to use your sport’s analogy) and changed the entire game his first season. And every decade never fell off and was ALWAYS considered one of the greats and never compromised his integrity
The idea of both Jay and Nas rapping of off the same beats is an excellent idea.
Nas would DESTROY Jay; it's not even a contest.
They already have. Its called Black Republicans
Black Republican???
well, Jay was on HipHop Is Dead "Black republicans"
Nas was on American Gangster "Success" (dissed Hov on the song btw)
Nas and Jay were on Ludacris "I do it for hiphop"
and Dj Khaled's "sorry not sorry"
@@Raydensheraj Nas and Jay have been on songs together since 2006.
Jay featured on HiphopIsDead (Black republicans)
Nas featured on American Gangster (Success)
they both featured on Ludacris (I did it for hiphop)
and Dj Khaled's (sorry, not sorry)
The song Serious Interlude is an ode to Slick Rick's hit song "Teenage Love" which is an 80's hip hop anthem and Slick is one of Nas' idols. In retrospect people who aren't vested in that era who are hearing something similar in the present will be dismissive of it's simplicity. You simply CAN'T understand. The same way that people diminish the importance of L.L. Cool J's "I Need Love". In other words the song is aimed at that era of fans which know this. Also it rounds out the album from a subject matter aspect. It's a great placement on the album.
Thank you for this statement. My goodness someone that gets it. Serious Interlude is my personal favorite in the album, not because it's the best,but because it's the track that touched home-base for me, being same age as NaS. I too was a Fly Kid, but superbroke ofcourse, at the same time I got busy with girls my age and older because they were attracted to my low key, Introverted good looking self and I ended up messing with a Fly Girl much older than me when I was 16-17, but she was in a relationship with a Drug Dealer who neglected her and somehow she ended up messing with me when her Drug Dealer boyfriend was disappearing for days, weeks at a time, I'm glad I'm alive to tell this story, because looking back that was a dangerous game I was playing. Serious Interlude is dope to me and NaS is just amazing crearing these vivid stories which connects with his fanbase.
If it only talk to an era then it didn't age well...great music transcend time...
@@afrosamourai400 My Teenage and early 20 nieces love these 2 Classics, Teenage Love and I Need Love, they couldn't believe these tracks were from 80s.
@@afrosamourai400 So you don't think there's anything special about "I Need Love" or Teenage Love" or "One Love" by Whodini? If so then that says a lot.... in fact it says it all.
@@jbwuzhere6819 i don't know if there's something special about those 2 songs, my point was just to say that great music don't speak only to fans of an era, it transcends time..the message from grandmaster flash or rappers delight are still good today despite being made in the 80s..so you shouldn't say it speaks to the fans of an era, if it's the best music it will speak to all eras..
I always tell people this. Biggie had puffy, 2pac had suge knight, and Jay z had Dame Dash. Nas didn't have anyone. He did it lonesome.
Great review of the album. With regard to the end where you discuss freedom of speech, I believe he's referring to rap lyrics being used in court cases which has happened recently. Overall this was a really thoughtful discussion of the album.
What I don't get about people who have Jay over Nas is in what way? Depth? Longevity? Conceptually? Subject Matter, Storytelling? Ability to paint vivid pictures? Battle records? Voice? Lyricism? Flow? JAY DOESN'T TOUCH NAS IN ANY OF THOSE! LOL NOW WITH THIS 4 ALBUM RUN....WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?? LOL Jay is a all time great but there's a reason why his catalog didn't age well cuz he always chased trends and other rappers sounds. I honestly dont get it, it's not even a debate, Never has been
J Mar.... everything you just said is super correct! Every category you just named should make the determination that Nas is completely better than Jay... but they don't see it that way.... they aren't listening for those categories... they listen to what deems a mc to be hype or popular regardless of the quality.... and this guy calls himself a professo lol. I thought research and analyzing was part of it... but hey lol
💯
Great video as always Prof!! Kinda amazing that the nas and hitboy collab still sounds this fresh after four albums. Also you should review the new Brockhampton album after it drops tomorrow, keen to hear your thoughts
That’s genius and it shows. 4 albums and still fresh Nas is 👑🔥🔥🔥
You, Sir, deserve a sub. Thank you for this detailed and well researched piece!
What makes IllMatic special is because it change the climate of HipHop in the early 90's. HipHop was dominated by the West Coast at this time. Nas along with WU tang put the spot light back on NY. IllMatic also change the way HipHop albums were produced by bringing together an all-star of Producers to create the album vs just one producer. Nas lyrics, flow and storytelling was light years beyond what anyone done or doing at that time. KRS-One once said that if you want to truly study History of HiPHop music to start with IllMatic and go backward to other classic albums all the way to the Sugar Hill Gang. Then go back To IllMatic and go forward.
Facts
Ice Cube said to NaS on his 'The Bridge' podcast, "Back then we were doing our penmanship, then you came and put it in Cursive". Highest compliments from 1 of Hip-Hop Greats! Illmatic is like New Testament to Catholics, it is like BC & AD, Before Illmatic and after Illmatic! Facts!
Nas time travels through his music.
You just described 94 Nas to Pedro. 94 Nas burst into the scene like Pedro in 98-99 in Boston. “Hit the core of the earth just like a comet” ☄️
Love from Sierra Leone West Africa,Nas can resolved the Congo war,United Nation should bring Nas,he is an inspiration
"Yes, Professor Skye, what is beef?"
*que Biggie Lyrics
I always appreciated Nas more since I was a kid because of his deeper lyrical ability with songs like I Gave you Power. I see why people like Jay and he is good but is just not as potent of an artist for me. Super jealous you get to see the Kings Disease performance at MSG!!!
Good job, as always!
It's not a young man's game it's still a new Genre of music the first dudes wasn't really getting money so they had to leave it alone, that's what made people start saying oh you still rap and made other leave Nas Generation is the Generation that started getting Real Money in a whole so him, Jay, if Big, PAC, Pun and a few others were alive they would be still relevant too....... I agree he showing y'all that rap doesn't have to stop at a certain age and may make the real artist keep being more creative. One of the best parts of Nas career is his ability to be a tomorrow thinker or whatever your saying. The shoutouts is just apart of the culture I agree with a lot of what you saying. There is a lot of stuff you don't get that's just apart of the culture I can tell by what you show your disinterest to not understanding it's all apart of the game.
Jay heard it. You see Jay posted his Grammys the day Nas released his tracklist. They've had a friendly rivalry for years now. You can pick out instances in lyrics of them throwing little shots at each other. Even those little features Jay does time to time.
Its not serious. They’re cool with each other.
@@SoulOfTheSouth I agree. I think it's friendly but they still throw little shots
@@mickey10jb80 At the end of the day, those two men are probably at each other’s mansion in LA smoking cigars and drinking.
@@SoulOfTheSouth I agree with that. But friendly competition is still a thing. I bet it's a little more motivation for both of them to stay good at their craft. You can be friends with competitors
They are cool with each other, they hangout in each other's home every once in awhile and have recorded songs together since their Beef. At this stage of their career they are just 2 knives sharpening each other and that is a beautiful thing to see in the culture that has taken too many greats due to Beef.
I was one of the Nas fans that may have leave some comments for you, but u articulated yourself well here and i understand your view point now. 👊
Thanks for that. It seems that the majority of Nas fans are still super mad at me, so I'm happy to know that at least one person got the point of the video. It seems that the more I praise Nas, the angrier they get. Anyway, I appreciate all the comments, even the grumpy ones. I hope to spark discussion and analysis, even if that analysis is about how wrong I am! :)
"Street disciple" and "untitled" are way ahead of it's time. Nas I personally think has been 10 yrs ahead of everyone else also "Nastradamus" that album if you listen to it now that's a freaking grown man album n I think us Nas fans are called Nasirians
Streets Disciple
Nastradamus is a bad boy album
Life we chose
Family
God love us
Big girl now
Last words
Come get me
You owe me
New world
Shoot em
Some of us have angels
This album was very mature one of the albums I listened to more than most of the other albums which were much better and most of the others my favourite... but with nastradamus very mature and underated.
@@teradac2 facts bro I never understood the dislike people had towards that album back then everybody was satisfied living in the present while Nas was telling us what lied ahead just listen to the track "new world" on that album smh way ahead of it's time
@@MichaelBatmanKeaton even quiet N track.. again nas jumping on a dirty South track doing it a nas type way was ill. Didn't really feel that track but again showing us he's getting with the times and trying to reach the south audience.
Nas would always do stuff to hit another audience but in his way which I think people don't really clock on to. They think he's still one way but he's always changing and adapting that's why he's lasted this long. Nas understands the business too, but again he's slept on because he's not so out there with it.
To close off I think the actual nastradamus single tainted the album hence why most write it off.
Nas fans call themselves hip-hop heads because Nas is real hip-hop. Word from a 28-year old
Your rant about 'bravehearts' made me laugh. It's a call to a Rap duo including his brother Jungle and Wiz he is/was a part of.
Your videos make my day better, thank you
If you go onto the song where nas talks about 16yo fans, there is a notation saying "that me". Also, I am 16 and a nas fan, and I didn't leave that notation, so there are atleast two of us.
Great review, we the Nassirians approve it.Even if the Hovangers r salty at this run.
Infested Wound would be a pretty hard album title by metal standards
That baseline on THUN is crying for his Mami while Nas is squealing his tires on this beat . The g.o.a.t. the track I'M ON FIRE 🔥 Is an instant classic !!!!!
I saw that Title & KNEW that song was go be lit
@@giovannicarter3076 Right?! That title stood out to me the most other than “Michael & Quincy” and “Recession Proof”. I was super intrigued by those three when the tracklist came out.
To say Jay z was ever better than Nas is like saying Mac and cheese is better than carbonara.
Came for the beef discussion, stayed for the historical context of the word beef. God bless you and your linguistic references.
You're right about it was written being underrated
Nas is the prime example of a champion, throughout his whole career. You seen the start of his career rise and take a temporary pause due to his personal life, but like all struggles in life we fall to get back up and show true talent, and full potential 💪🏾
The Nas/Jay rivalry will never end. Jay has been soft pressing Nas for years by dropping some kind of Collab or project to coincide with most Nas releases. Nas answers by dropping 4 joints in 2 years which soft presses the takeover line of 2 albums in 10 years.....
Nas the greatest of all time the true legend. Big up from congo kinshasa kin state of mind. 🇨🇩🇨🇩🇨🇩🇨🇩🇨🇩
Nas is for those with refined taste in rap, Jay Z doesn't even come close. Nas is steak and lobster with a glass of wine, Jay is a Mcdonalds hamburger. Can Jay tell a story backwards? Have Jay's lyrics ever been studied in universities? Yeah, that's what I thought. Nas>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Jay Z.
You is ON POINT
AVAA
14:17 "This is my new album, venereal sores. Alright Kick it!!!" 😆😂🤣
He’s never been head and shoulders above Nas.
He was, and still is if we talk career and success it's not even close..jay is above.
"I just think of him dancing around with puffy in front of a bunch of flames 🔥" 🤣🤣🤣
The nas from this period was embarassing...lol, he said later in a song "Diamonds are blinding i never make the same mistakes" he knew he lost himself in the bling era.
You're wrong about Serious Interlude. He's flexing storytelling while paying homage to Slick Rick. You just came from talking about how well he paints pictures etc and he told us a simple short story here. It deserves more than what you gave it.
Yeah man. Not sure what he's talking about. Serious Interlude is my personal favorite because it's so descriptive of my Fly, but broke Teenage years, messing with girls older than me, one was even dating a drug dealer around my way, so this track is a personal favorite. But oh well, he just can't relate, even so, give it credit for its details.
if i win the tickets me and my friend will start driving from miami university in oxford ohio immediately after our 8am class tomorrow to make the show. thanks professor!
My opinion...
Both are arguably(not that hard to do that) top 5 rappers all time. Like you said, Nas has the better discography. Nas has the better opus (I LOVE Reasonable Doubt but Illmatic is Goated and still holds up so well!). As you said, Nas won/is still winning the beef. Nas has greater influence on hip hop music/culture (LilJayzx?). Jay has more influence on black excellence/society. I agree with you, J definitely has better humor. Jay has Beyonce (:p). Creative diversity = Draw.
Jay Z vs. Nas is like Biggie vs. Pac.... there is no wrong answer. I lean Nas most of the time but I still have my J days from time to time. We are blessed to have both.
Jay is a better rapper and i'm a nas fan!!
Prof. Skye, thats going pretty hard shouting out which section you will be at at a Nas concert, no one is testing ur gangsta,.lol,. u crack me up, i LOVE ur passion!!
On the bonus track he said “Represent the Jects” Short for projects.
The mention of the diss tracks on beef is literally mentioning the components that lead to beef... Paranoia, misinformation, misinterpretations, rumors, etc.
Explaining to the French students what beef is had my rolling!!
I died when he started quoting biggie lmao
I've been listening to Nas for much of my life and would love to finally see him live. I don't know that I can say anything to put me clearly ahead of everybody else as a Nas stan, I just enjoy his storytelling and Illmatic soundtracked my adolescence. I live in Boston, so I have the Amtrak tab sitting open and ready. Excited to see who you choose! Thanks for your great work.
Nas saying bravehearts is the same as jay saying rockafella when he was on that label, bravehearts consisted of his brother jungle wiz nashawn guys from qb, iykyk.
...and the reason they called themselves Bravehearts is because they came from grimy projects, where you had to be brave and scare in order to survive or get eaten alive.
Brave Hearts was his rap crew his brother Jungle,Wiz and Nashawn
My first time coming to your channel and I really enjoyed this review!
Nas has been better than Jay-z for the record.
KD3 is a Masterpiece 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Nas has always been better than jay-z
If Thunderground Thursday returns this week or the next, then you should listen to the newest project by AKAI SOLO titled Spirit Roaming. It recently released under Backwoodz Studioz, which was founded by Billy Woods and contained Elucid’s newest album I Told Bessie.
People get the word “conscious” confused. Conscious does not mean being woke. It means telling how you feel or what’s on your mind. Nas is a street rapper just like Jay Z, Ghostface, Raekwon, who all of these MCs are diverse. A gangsta rapper can be conscious because they’re speaking what’s on their mind. Illmatic and It Was Written are street conscious albums. Reasonable Doubt is a street conscious album. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is a street conscious album. Any rapper can be conscious. Producer 9th Wonder talked about this.
I like these points a lot
Conscious means positive, wise or socially oriented(fugees, blackstar, common, the roots..) it's the opposite of promoting killings, drugs, violence, hoes, savage capitalism...so i disagree street gangsta rap is the opposite of conscious..
I just became a Subscriber to you show . Break down was on point EXCELENT video
Good shat! I appreciate the review homie. Amazing perspective
When he says don't shoot he is talking to the people in the inner city....
Please when are you going to review magic 2?
Please do a review of madvillainy. Your reviews are always so insightful and well put. Would love to see you do one on one of the most influential albums of hip-hop
Jets is a double entendre, for the team, but also for the projects
I’ve been listening to Nas for many years, and for good reason, because I he is one of my favorite artists of all genres. His lyrical prowess and vocab knack has inspired me over the years to be better in my expression and performance through new opportunities, which I'm all the better for. And the textured and nuanced production he has used over the years are very important to my musical framework, which wouldn't be the same without his run through the 90's and 2020's. That is why I love to listen to him so much, because through times in which I've had hard time, I can put on an Illmatic, or a Kings Disease record, or even a lesser record of his like Street's Disciple and Nasir. So much musical code I have is indebted to Nas and his music, and I would love to see him live to experience one of his finest moments at one of the most iconic venues in America. Thanks again Skye. Speaking as a devout subscriber, you have brought my love of Nas to a new level, and I can only thank you as much as I can for that.
(PS: I wish you the best for your family emergency, and I hope it goes over as well as it can.)
I stumbled upon this vide, I’ve been a big Nas fan since day one. I see what you’re doing! Ha ha! By the way “Brave Heart’s” is his Group bruh. “Oochi walli”.
This may be a left field take, but I kinda feel like Common, of all people, kinda belongs as the third leg, of the "most successful rapper" convo. Not because I'm a super fan, cuz I'm not, although I like him, but I kinda feel like he is the actual "conscious rapper" equivalent, of both the mainstream, and underground respected rapper, with dabblings and success in other areas. Like, I would put him at one end, Jay z at the other, with Nas somewhere in between. Nas isn't nearly as consistently "conscious" as Common, nor as "street", or as "pop" as Jay...but somehow "deeper" than either one. But as far as rappers, who regularly operate in the same "upper stratosphere" of top tier stardom, as Hollywood celebrities, but can still garner the respect of his core audience...Common has earned a place in that conversation
His new project with peterock, one of the goats, as well as his legacy with Dilla, No-id, and Kanye, etc..are further examples, imo, of the low key diss of him not being mentioned more often. Dude was in a fuckin matrix movie, and dated Serena Williams...IJS...lol
Dude currently has an album with Peterock, albums with Dilla, Kanye, No-id, was a soulquarian, and "honorary" native tounge member, one of the first Chicago rappers to come out, was in a Matrix film, and used to date Serena Williams...I meeeeean....IJS...LOL
I'm a Nas fan since, It was written.
I love most of his music..
And I understand and agree with what you're saying.
If you listened to Nastradamus you'd know Nas had a song with a Christmas Carol beat rapping about killing called " Shootem Up". I'm sure that song played a part in a few people getting popped.
In response to Prof Skye's critique of Nas naming the album series "King's Disease," I'm very sure that Skye knows that King's Disease was the name given to the painful disease gout because gout historically only occurred in people who were wealthy enough to eat heavy amounts of food containing purines. In other words, the pain of King's Disease happens to people who are rich and greedy/excessive. Throughout this album trilogy Nas is given wise financial advice, warning against the financial greed/excesses that has caused many Kings of entertainment to go through the pain of financial ruin.
I think that Skye recognizes that Nas is a master of conceptual metaphors so King's Disease is another example of Nas showcasing a metaphorical, concept with a social message. The message, again, is: King's of entertainment stop being financially greedy/excessive (in making unhealthful investments) or suffering the financial pain that King's historically suffered physiologically due to unhealthy/excessive consumption of foods that only the rich could experience.
Jeepers Creepers was part of the bar before the Congress line..... He said we time piece Monsters, going hunting every season, "Jeepers Creepers" in the movie Jeepers Creepers he returns for 21 days in whatever amount of years. I could be wrong but that's made more since to me. A lot of his Barz just be going over people heads.
Bravehearts was the name of his rap group which consisted of his brother and brother’s best friend. QGTM Also the song I Can is on his Godson album and I Am is the name of his 3rd album.
Ice Cube said to NaS on his 'The Bridge' podcast, "Back then we were doing our penmanship, then you came and put it in Cursive". Highest compliments from 1 of Hip-Hop Greats! Illmatic is like New Testament to Catholics, it is like BC & AD, Before Illmatic and after Illmatic! Facts!
You know what would be a better idea than Premier beats for them 2 dudes considering where they are in their relationship? A collaboration album. Them competing on the same songs for the whole album.
Nobody has 30 summers but Nas… Jay is not ready for the call so your right
I am a huge Nas fan and I love this album. One of my favorites of the year. Glad you covered it.
Nas > Jay-Z
I tried to tell you Nas was better than Jay-Z awhile ago!! Thanks for admitting it 🤣. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but did I just hear you say "Reminisce" is trash? I think it's one of the best songs on kd3.
He also dismissed Serious Interlude, which is an to I Need Love by LL Cool J and Teenage Love by Slick Rick, it's my personal favorite in KD3 due to how it almost describes my Fly but Broke Teenage years. Smh
Dope review - great way to share your perspective on hiphop. 1st time watching, keep it up fam! Where do you teach Francais?
PLEASE Breakdown MADE YOU LOOK
Nas and Jay on the same Premier beats would be incredible
Yes but who gets to choose the beats?
Facts 🔥🔥🔥
@@nathanmasi1931 Premier. He just makes them and gives them to the two of them
@@strangerde2709 I can get with that for sure
Hi Professor! I personally love Nas, but variety is the spice of life and I also believe there is plenty of room for mature discussion and different viewpoints. That’s it! If people take the time to hear you out, you clearly don’t “hate” Nas. Thanks!
Nas wrote Rewind, I Gave You Power, Fetus, Last Words, 2nd Childhood, One Love... Some of these are conceptually completely unparalleled to this day in any genre, as far as lyricism goes. Like, I love Jay-z and I know a lot of what I love wouldn't exist either, at least not as it is but I think about a lot of names before I mention his, that rarely happens with Nas, not really a debate for me.
Braveheart is a shout out to his brother jungle group ... but in all great take on Nas and kd3
I was half asleep and thought this was a video of Jordan Peterson discussing Hip Hop.
Good car lane example for the flow change in those verses💯
Great review "It was written" is still one of the greatest albums of all time. People need to decode the lyrics that's why Pac luv that album before he die.
Nas has always been one of my favorite rappers since I got into hip hop music in middle school. When I first got into music I bought CDs from Best Buy. The first CDs I bought were the Chronic and Nas's Life Is Good. I know it isn't regarded as his best but I have a lot of memories with it, I remember liking it for the storytelling and lyrical proficiency, the same reason I liked Eminem at the time. The song Cherry Wine with Amy Winehouse was my favorite. I replayed that album alot before checking out Hip Hop Is Dead and then Illmatic Stillmatic etc. This King Disease trilogy has been a treat and Nas really is an artist that keeps on giving.
I live in NY and have never been to Madison Square Garden, would love to check it out
Oh my! The first person fell through. If you still want the tickets please message me by 10:00 AM at professorskyebusiness@gmail.con! (After that I’ll have to try to find someone else so that there is enough time)
Illmatic - Classic aka New Testament of Hip-Hop!
KD3 - Classic
Magic - Classic
IWW - Classic
Stillmatic - Classic
LT1 - Classic
LIG - Classic (1st Grownman Hip-Hop Album, which J tried to emulate with 4:44)
KD2 - Classic
GS - Classic
DR - Classic (Unlike any other Hip-Hop album with Africa Vibes)
KD1 - Fantastic Album
Untitled - Is a very good album, has aged well & will stand the test of time due to it's content.
HHID - Good album, has aged well
I Am - Good album, has aged well, original version would have been Classic if not for sabotage by Record Label & Leaking it.
LT2 - Good, some Very Good highs, but more lows
SD - Good, would have been Very Good if just 1 album instead of 2LP, has aged well.
Nasir - Feels rushed, with 1-2 Excellent tracks.
Nastradamus - OK, the highs are special which would have been on I Am, but too many lows for me, but has aged well.